South Carolina to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,503 miles from South Carolina to California ranges from $1,715 to $2,496 and takes 7–15 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to South Carolina car shipping guide.
South Carolina to California auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in South Carolina and California. The average travel distance is about 2,503 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 7 to 15 days.
Cost to ship a car from Charleston, SC to California
| From South Carolina to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Los Angeles, CA | 2,480 miles | $1,632–$2,563 | 5–13 days |
| Columbia, SC to San Diego, CA | 2,445 miles | $1,535–$2,563 | 5–13 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to San Jose, CA | 2,745 miles | $1,772–$2,753 | 7–15 days |
| Greenville, SC to San Francisco, CA | 2,787 miles | $1,772–$2,835 | 7–15 days |
| Spartanburg, SC to Fresno, CA | 2,613 miles | $1,614–$2,571 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, SC to California
| From South Carolina to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Los Angeles, CA | 2,397 miles | $1,600–$2,701 | 5–13 days |
| Columbia, SC to San Diego, CA | 2,354 miles | $1,649–$2,624 | 5–13 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to San Jose, CA | 2,653 miles | $1,732–$2,624 | 7–15 days |
| Greenville, SC to San Francisco, CA | 2,695 miles | $1,732–$2,545 | 7–15 days |
| Spartanburg, SC to Fresno, CA | 2,512 miles | $1,633–$2,548 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rock Hill, SC to California
| From South Carolina to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Los Angeles, CA | 2,418 miles | $1,632–$2,589 | 5–13 days |
| Columbia, SC to San Diego, CA | 2,375 miles | $1,649–$2,701 | 5–13 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to San Jose, CA | 2,674 miles | $1,614–$2,730 | 7–15 days |
| Greenville, SC to San Francisco, CA | 2,716 miles | $1,789–$2,590 | 7–15 days |
| Spartanburg, SC to Fresno, CA | 2,541 miles | $1,552–$2,471 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Greenville, SC to California
| From South Carolina to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Los Angeles, CA | 2,328 miles | $1,568–$2,701 | 5–13 days |
| Columbia, SC to San Diego, CA | 2,285 miles | $1,579–$2,471 | 5–13 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to San Jose, CA | 2,584 miles | $1,568–$2,496 | 7–15 days |
| Greenville, SC to San Francisco, CA | 2,626 miles | $1,749–$2,783 | 7–15 days |
| Spartanburg, SC to Fresno, CA | 2,451 miles | $1,648–$2,641 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Spartanburg, SC to California
| From South Carolina to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC to Los Angeles, CA | 2,357 miles | $1,616–$2,495 | 5–13 days |
| Columbia, SC to San Diego, CA | 2,314 miles | $1,681–$2,650 | 5–13 days |
| Rock Hill, SC to San Jose, CA | 2,613 miles | $1,698–$2,677 | 7–15 days |
| Greenville, SC to San Francisco, CA | 2,655 miles | $1,698–$2,757 | 7–15 days |
| Spartanburg, SC to Fresno, CA | 2,481 miles | $1,680–$2,563 | 5–13 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from South Carolina to California
Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from South Carolina to California you should expect to pay between $2,144 and $3,120.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from South Carolina to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Palmetto State to the Golden State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to California.
- Distance and route: The journey from South Carolina to California spans approximately 2,503 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of South Carolina, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between South Carolina and California and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from South Carolina to California should take between 7 and 15 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best South Carolina to California car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from South Carolina to California:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from South Carolina to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,503 miles on your car going from South Carolina to California. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from South Carolina to California for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- Ship by train: If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
What else should you know about shipping a car from South Carolina to California?
- Car insurance requirements: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
- Vehicle inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from South Carolina
Over 39 million people call South Carolina home. Nicknamed the Palmetto State, South Carolina had hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters and coastal areas of the state have very mild winters. While precipitation is abundant the entire year in almost the entire state, the coast tends to have a slightly wetter summer, while inland, the spring and autumn transitions tend to be the wettest periods and winter the driest season, with November being the driest month.
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 22 million people are living in the Golden State of California. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in South Carolina and when dropping off my car in California?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in South Carolina and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from South Carolina to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from South Carolina to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in South Carolina.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In South Carolina, it's a legal requirement for every driver to have liability insurance. Adhering to the state's minimum liability limits, commonly referred to as 25/50/25, entails securing coverage of at least $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Stay compliant with these essential insurance standards to drive confidently on South Carolina roads.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
How long does it take to ship a car from South Carolina to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from South Carolina to California is about 2503 miles, and that’s as fast as about 6 days. However, most car transport companies will take 7-15 days to travel from South Carolina to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a safety, VIN, or emissions inspection for their vehicle.
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
If I have a driver’s license in South Carolina, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in South Carolina, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from South Carolina to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both South Carolina and California to avoid any hidden costs.
